Balblair 2005 1st release bottling note this is the first release of 2005 vintage balblair single malt scotch whisky which is replacing the 2003 vintage in their core range. Alexander cowan, who had built the new distillery, was forced to close the distillery in 1911, after which time it remained silent until 194849, when it reopened under new management. Distillery manager john macdonald tastes casks each year to decide when that particular whisky is ripe for bottling. Back then the distilling in the highlands was illegal, so it was typical to distil off the record. Balblair distillery is off station road, edderton, which is in turn off the a836 from tain to ardgay, about 6 miles from tain. Balblair highland single malt scotch whisky is heavily influenced by its heritage. The current range is 2005, 1999, 1990, 1978, 1983, 1969. Distillery manager john macdonald tastes casks each year to decide when that particular whisky is. Sale to david kirkcaldy at ardmore, one gallon of whisky at. A comprehensive yet concise history of scotch whisky robert 20180517t17. Mar 29, 2019 new balblair agestatement collection revealed. Bottles arent stamped with an age expression, rather adhering to the balblair exclusively vintage philosophy. During the second world war, balblair distillery was used by the army commandeers and the army built a concrete floor in warehouse 4, and used it as a kitchen.
The distillery lies in edderton in the northern highlands, surrounded by rugged mountains, from whence the allt dearg balblairs water source springs. Balblair comes from a unique place where the pace of life is easy. Balblair was closed between 1915 and 1947 when it was reopened and then purchased by robert bertie cumming in 1949 but he. Balblair is a fantastic scottish highland malt distillery which has retained its round red brick chimney, single pagoda roof and dunnage warehouses. Our malt is crafted slowly and is matured at the distillery in traditional dunnage warehouses on earthen floors.
Learn about our true highland spirit balblair single malt. A presentation gives you the necessary history of the distillery before you. The distillery stops production in 1911 and closed in 1915. We have books about the craft distilling industry as well as how to bottle and label your products. Balblair highland single malt scotch whisky releases second. When approaching balblair distillery, the oldest highlands distillery still in operation, it was immediately clear that its set in a more traditional landscape than old pulteney its a charming plant surrounded by the everpresent highlands meadows that hold a standing stone within the premises. I genuinely look forward to going to the distillery to start a days work at such a beautiful location, a fantastic location. Dec 04, 2012 new york, new york, november 20, 2012 international beverage usa announced the release of balblair 1969, the oldest vintage of the multiaward winning balblair single malt scotch whisky portfolio to hit the united states market. Whilst distillation was probably in progress as early as 1749 balblair malt whiskey distillery was officially established in 1790. All the other warehouses, except cellar 3 have beatenearth floors. The present distillery buildings date from the 1890s. Balblair is situated just to the north of glenmorangie, near the village of edderton in rossshire. Upon entering the car park we were blown away by the sheer size. Book a tour notice of temporary suspension of distillery tours.
Balblair highland single malt scotch whisky releases. Nov 12, 2011 join us for a tour of the north highland distillery of balblair, with the distillery manager john macdonald. The standing stone featured on balblair gift boxes lies within site of the distillery on. We have a great selection of distilling books to choose from. Its just what youd imagine a distillery to look like if you hadnt already visited one and its steeped in history. The first balblair distillery was a pot still built on balblair farm on the estate of the rosses of balnagowan in the late 1790s. Balblair s history balblair distillery is the oldest working distillery in the highlands, and one of scotlands oldest distilleries with production starting in 1790 only glenturret, bowmore and strathisla have been operating longer. We visited the oldest distillery in scotland and had a chat with master distiller, john macdonald. Our timeintensive methods make for more flavourintensive malts. Learn about the history of making spirits and the trials distillers went through in the earlier days. With a gentle, handson approach is what gives our whisky its distinctive character.
Balblair single malt scotch whisky is intriguingly complex and satisfying. Also located in the remote highlands region of scotland, balblair distillery had a tumultuous history and was out of business for nearly 40 years in the first half of the 20th century, only to be resurrected and developed into one of the more respected brands in the local market and abroad. That is why we only create vintages timed to perfection. It is one of the oldest scottish distilleries, dating back to 1790, but there are records of distilleries on the site as far back as 1749. The whiskey wash welcomes joshua sparks to our writing team. Balblair 1990 2nd edition single malt the whisky barrel. It was erected over four millennia ago by a race lost to history. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience whilst viewing our website. The last whisky is taken from the balblair warehouses in 1932. Balblairs whiskies are famous for releasing only vintage highland singlemalt whiskies, once distillery manager john macdonald decides they have reached optimum maturation. The distillery entrance is opposite the edderton inn.
Balblair distillery, balmenach distillery, knockdhu distillery, pulteney distillery. History of scotch whisky the rise of single malt scotch. Balblair is the second oldest distillery in scotland. Perfect pictish, old and ancient, luxury private tour for up to 7 persons. Its very sweet at the beginning but gets spicier as it progresses. Its here, since we rolled out our first barrels in 1790, that weve been producing awardwinning highland single malt scotch whisky. The latest vintages 1990, 1983 and 2003 from balblair are being launched in the brands new premium frontopening gift boxes.
Balblair distillery northern highlands region founded in 1790, currently active owned by inver house distillers balblair 10 years. To visit our website, you must be of an age at which the purchase and consumption of alcohol is permitted according to the legislation in your country of residence. It remained within the ross family until the end of the 19th century was bought by alex cowan in 1896. The entry is dated january 25, 1800, and is written by john ross himself. Balblair recently changed its 2003 vintage packaging to a premium front opening box, replacing the regular. Balblair distillery is a scotch whisky distillery located in edderton, rossshire, scotland. The distillery, located in edderton overlooking the dornoch firth, is built on a former pictish settlement, which still features a 4,000 year old standing stone, the clach biorach. Our whisky reflects this place and the people who have been here for generations. Whilst distillation was probably in progress as early as 1749 balblair malt.
Then a short move into new balblair distillery buildings situated right beside ederton railway station in 1894. After its foundation in 1790, the whole equipment was moved in the 1890s to be closer to. Our home sits on an ancient pictish gathering place, tucked away near the banks of the dornoch firth. At balblair we only ever release our whisky when it is ready. The 10 best bottles of scotch on the planet thestreet. Balblair is one of our oldest single malt whisky distilleries founded 1790, and one of the prettiest. From its location and water source, to its still shape and wood policy. We stumbled upon balblair distillery on an adventure with our 4 kids to explore inverness.
The distillery lies in edderton in the northern highlands, surrounded by rugged mountains, from whence the allt dearg balblair s water source springs. In the words of our distillery manager, john macdonald, making whisky should be a craft, not a process. Inver house distillers limited is a malt whisky distiller, based in airdrie, scotland. Balblair distillery balblair single malt scotch whisky. Balblair has one of the oldest set of records in whisky history. The balblair vintage series encompasses single malts from the 1970s to the 2000s. Balblair distillery was founded by john ross in 1790 and now lays claim to being the oldest working distillery in the highland region and one of the oldest in scotland. Balblair distillery was a big favorite of the group of whisky enthusiasts that i led around scotland and ireland. They were bought over by inverhouse in 1996 and it was only in 2007 that they started releasing their single malt as a brand, which they call vintages. My husband was wager to visit as wed promised he could sample a few or the highlands finest whiskeys whilst we were away. All vintages are bottled at 46% or above, nonchill filtered, wherever possible 1969 is 41. The second release of 2000 vintage whisky from one of scotlands oldest working distilleries. We create it with pride and a dedication to excellence. Balblair single malt whiskey balblair distillery was originally established by john ross at his balblair farm just to the west of ederton by the southern shore of the dornoch firth.
First run by john ross, then by his son andrew, and finally by grandson james, the distillery remained in the ross family until 1894. Balblair to visit our website, you must be of an age at which the purchase and consumption of alcohol is permitted according to the legislation in your country of residence. Balblair is located north of inverness and in quite a beautiful area. Tucked away in the ancient heart of the highlands, youll find balblair distillery. The unprecedented release spans 20 years, featuring vintages from 1983, 1990, 1999, and 2003, which will. Learn about our true highland spirit balblair single. Balblairs history balblair distillery is the oldest working distillery in the highlands, and one of scotlands oldest distilleries with production starting in 1790 only glenturret, bowmore and strathisla have been operating longer. John ross succeeded in making it a profitable commercial enterprise in the face of financial troubles, bad debts, competition by smugglers and the.
In response to the spread of the coronavirus we have made the decision to temporarily suspend all visitation to balblair distillery as of monday 16th march until further notice. Leave tain on the a9, past glenmorangie distillery, and carry straight on at the roundabout where the a9 heads across the dornoch firth bridge. Balblair bottle in vintages, which change from time to time. The name is gaelic and means battlefield or town of the plain. We create our whisky with pride and a dedication to excellence. Following john rosss death in 1836, the distillery was passed down to his son, andrew ross.
Balblair recently changed from vintages back to malts with age statements. Records suggest, however, that a balblair distillery was in existence in the 1740s. Balblair 10 yo single malt balblair 16 yo single malt balblair 24 yo single malt balblair 26 yo single malt balblair 33 yo cask strength single malt. One of scotlands oldest distilleries, balblair was founded in 1790 by john ross.
It also featured in ken loachs awardwinning film the angels share 2012, as the location for the auction of a cask of extremely rare whisky from malt mill distillery on islay. New balblair agestatement collection revealed multiawardwinning highland distillery, balblair, has unveiled its plans to release a new collection of agestatement single malt scotch whiskies, which will be available in the uk this month and rolled out globally from april 2019. Balblair is what you imagine a distillery should be. Balblair distillery is a scotch whisky distillery located in edderton, rossshire, scotland founded in 1790, the distillery was rebuilt in 1895 by the designer charles c doig to be closer to the edderton railway station on the inverness and rossshire railway line. Discover the history and story of balblair single malt scotch whisky. Balblair 1990 2nd edition single malt scotch the whisky. These are all determining factors in how a whisky tastes.
We have updated our privacy policy to reflect changes in the law on cookies and tracking technologies used on websites. Join us for a tour of the north highland distillery of balblair, with the distillery manager john macdonald. It has a post office under inverness, and a large distillery. An enjoyable expression from the northern highlands distillery, matured in american oak exbourbon barrels and of course is presented in balblairs very recognisable bottles. They were bought over by inverhouse in 1996 and it was only in 2007 that they started releasing their. Jan 06, 2017 we visited the oldest distillery in scotland and had a chat with master distiller, john macdonald. As a result, we are unable to take any new tour bookings and refunds will be automatically issued for. Balblair, a village in eddertoun parish, rossshire, 5. Balblair 10 yo single malt balblair 16 yo single malt balblair. The first balblair distillery was built by the ross family near edderton in 1790, but in 1872 production was shifted to a new site next to the then new railway line which linked wick to inverness.
An enjoyable expression from the northern highlands distillery, matured in american oak exbourbon barrels and of course is presented in balblair s very recognisable bottles. The balblair distillery was founded in 1790 by john ross but there are unofficial records of distilling dating back to 1749. Balblair distillery, balmenach distillery, knockdhu distillery, pulteney distillery, and speyburn distillery. Matured in exbourbon casks for years and finished in spanish oak butts for a further five years, this is a spicy, creamy and honeyed single malt that still retains balblairs citrus and orchard fruit characteristics. Distillery bottlings of balblair single malt whisky are only available as vintage releases. This is balblairs second release of the much anticipated 1999 vintage, which replaces the 1997 vintage in their portfolio. The company is a subsidiary of thaibev, one of the largest alcoholicbeverage companies in southeast asia inver house distillers owns and operating five distilleries. It was founded about a halfmile from where it sits now in 1790 though there are records of distilling dating to 1749 by john ross. Aug 28, 2012 balblair highland single malt scotch whisky is heavily influenced by its heritage. Multiawardwinning highland distillery, balblair, has unveiled its plans to release a new collection of agestatement single malt scotch whiskies, which will be available in the uk this month and rolled out globally from april 2019. Balblair single malt scotch whisky the whisky shop. Balblair whisky buy balblair whiskies online master of. Balblair single malt whisky balblair distillery was originally established by john ross at his balblair farm just to the west of ederton by the southern shore of the dornoch firth. New york, new york, november 20, 2012 international beverage usa announced the release of balblair 1969, the oldest vintage of the multiaward winning balblair single malt scotch whisky portfolio to hit the united states market.
History of balblair, in highland and ross and cromarty map. In 18824, frances groomes ordnance gazetteer of scotland described balblair like this. Balblair is a distillery receiving more welcome recognition. The distillery was in the ross family for three generations, and the business was passed down from grandfather to. Inver house distillers owns and operating five distilleries. Balblair has been a distillery since 1790, and that heritage runs through their attitude to whisky.
The company is a subsidiary of thaibev, one of the largest alcoholicbeverage companies in southeast asia. Vintage is a vintage is a vintage is a vintage quite literally in balblairs simultaneous release of four vintage expressions, a first in the u. New balblair agestatement collection revealed the whiskyphiles. Balblair highland single malt scotch announces release of the.
If there are no laws on this matter, then you must be at least 18 years old. Balblairs whiskies are famous for releasing only vintage highland singlemalt whiskies, once distillery manager john macdonald decides. The balblair distillery, founded in 1790, sits in edderton, scotland near the edderton railway station. Arguably one of scotlands oldest distilleries, balblair was founded by john ross in 1790. Inver house distillers limited purchased the distillery in 1996. Balblair vintage 1999 2nd edition get free shipping. However, so good was the original water source that the rebuilt distillery chose to ignore a nearby burn in favour of the. The new series features four whiskies, each meticulously hand selected, all of which retain the. Welcome to the idyllic coast of the dornoch firth, the home of balblair distillery. Balblair highland single malt scotch announces release of. Balblair whisky buy balblair whiskies online master of malt. John explains the whisky making process and some of the technical detail of that. Balblair single malt scotch whisky true highland spirit.
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